Hydro jetting is a powerful drain cleaning method that uses highly pressurized water to clear severe blockages and thoroughly clean the interior walls of pipes. This process involves inserting a specialized hose and nozzle into a drain line, blasting water at pressures up to 4,000 pounds per square inch (PSI) to scour away buildup like grease, scale, and tree roots. While hydro jetting is effective, the time required is not fixed and depends heavily on the specific conditions of the drain line being serviced.
Typical Duration for Residential Jobs
For a standard, straightforward residential drain line, the entire hydro jetting service typically takes between one and three hours. This duration covers common issues like moderate grease buildup or soft clogs in a standard-sized sewer lateral. The actual time the high-pressure water is running, known as the active jetting time, is often only 45 minutes to an hour for these routine jobs.
The total duration includes necessary steps like initial inspection, equipment setup, and post-job verification, which adds to the overall service timeline. If the blockage is particularly severe, such as a major, long-standing obstruction, the total time required can increase significantly, sometimes extending to three to six hours or more.
Key Factors That Affect the Total Time
Several variables influence how long a hydro jetting job will take, often pushing the duration beyond the typical one to three hours. The severity and type of the clog are major determinants, as soft clogs like soap scum and hair are removed much faster than hardened materials. Heavy root intrusion or solidified mineral scale requires multiple passes and specialized nozzles to fracture and wash away the dense material.
The condition of the pipe and the accessibility of the cleanout also play a significant role. Older, fragile, or damaged pipes, such as those with existing cracks or corrosion, require the technician to use lower water pressure to prevent further damage, which slows the cleaning process. Difficult access points, like a cleanout located far from the street or one that requires accessing a roof vent, add considerable time to the initial setup and hose deployment.
The pipe’s diameter and overall length directly impact the necessary cleaning time. Larger diameter pipes, such as a four-inch main sewer line, require more powerful equipment and a greater volume of water to achieve the necessary scouring action compared to a smaller kitchen drain line. Very long sewer laterals increase the time needed for the jetting hose to reach the blockage and for the debris to be fully flushed out of the system.
The Hydro Jetting Service Timeline
The total time a technician spends on-site is broken down into a sequence of distinct steps, beginning with a thorough pre-job inspection. This initial diagnosis typically involves using a specialized camera to navigate the pipe, allowing the technician to locate the exact position and nature of the blockage and assess the pipe’s overall condition. This step usually takes between 15 and 30 minutes, depending on the complexity of the plumbing system.
Following the inspection, the setup and preparation phase involves connecting the hydro jetting equipment, running the high-pressure hoses, and ensuring a sufficient water supply. An experienced professional can often complete this setup in about 15 minutes. The actual jetting process then begins, where the machine is actively running and the high-pressure water is cleaning the pipe walls.
For a typical residential clog, the active jetting time is generally 30 to 60 minutes, during which the technician strips away buildup and restores the pipe’s full diameter. Once the blockage is cleared, the final step is the post-job inspection and cleanup. This involves a second camera inspection to confirm the pipe is completely clear and undamaged, followed by packing up the equipment, a process that usually takes an additional 15 to 30 minutes.